Wildlife Biologist - USFS Resource Assistant - Sierra Vista, AZ

Title: Wildlife Biologist - USFS Resource Assistant (1 position)

Start/End Date: October 4, 2021 - September 26, 2022 (anticipated)

Wage: $12.50/hour, non-exempt

Term: 52 weeks

Reports To: John Kraft (USFS District Biologist)

Location: USFS Sierra Vista Ranger District (4070 S. Avenida Saracino, Hereford, AZ 85615)

Benefits: Federal holidays plus 5 additional days PTO, health insurance eligible, monthly housing allowance ($1,000/month), monthly commuting allowance (if eligible), professional development funds (up to $2,750). Two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility and Direct Hiring Authority (DHA) through the USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP)*

Position Summary:

Arizona Conservation Corps (AZCC) is partnering with the Coronado National Forest to provide a 52-week paid professional Resource Assistant (RA) position designed to focus on restoration projects on the Sierra Vista Ranger District. The selected RA will assist the District Biologist with project coordination and compliance and use basic principles of wildlife biology to assess readings, measurements, tests, observations, and samples in order to understand and relate the significance of the results to Forest objectives. The RA will help communicate the needs of the Wildlife Program and provide recommendations for management activities, including habitat protections, if necessary. The RA will help draft NEPA documents and Biological Specialist reports for review by the District Biologist and support the Huachuca FireScape fuels management project. If time allows, other opportunities exist for restoration project development and coordination, surveys and monitoring, and collaboration with ongoing research projects on the forest. Basic NEPA training and MSO Survey Certification is provided. No government housing is available for this position.

All tasks will have COVID19 mitigation strategies to reduce the spread in the local community. The intern must be willing to adhere to current CDC standards and USFS/Coronado National Forest procedures.

Essential Responsibilities and Functions:

• Work with District Biologist, other program areas and partners to develop scope of proposed actions.
• Work closely with District Biologist for guidance throughout the NEPA process.
• Work with District Biologist, District Ranger, and Forest NEPA Specialist to determine appropriate NEPA level and draft documents for internal review.
• Work with District Biologist to draft Biological Assessment and Evaluation that analyzes the impacts of the proposed restoration projects.
• Prepare Biological Specialist reports for fuels projects.
• Work with other program areas to ensure that all objectives of projects are met.
• Coordinate with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as needed to discuss potential impacts to species listed under the Endangered Species Act.
• Assist with Mexican spotted owl surveys for ongoing fuels projects to determine occupancy and reproductive success.
• The Resource Assistant should be available to work a flexible schedule that may require some nighttime work.

Required Skills

Qualifications:

• Holding or pursuing a degree in biology or wildlife biology (or equivalent).
• Possess knowledge of the basic principles of wildlife biology in order to assess environmental data.
• Ability to relate significance of results to each activity's higher objective.
• Ability to clearly communicate principles and philosophy to the public and interact with user groups and agency staff.
• Possess knowledge and ability to monitor management activities.
• Ability to take initiative and work alone or in small groups with minimal supervision.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with Mexican spotted owl survey protocol is desirable.

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc... May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• The work requires walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces, exposure to adverse weather and insects, and performing physical labor. Work is performed outdoors where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature, in both established administrative areas and wilderness areas.
• Ability to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program.
• Appropriately represent Arizona Conservation Corps and the U.S. Forest Service at all times, including properly wearing the agency uniform.

Safety and Judgement:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Assigned duties will require the use of safety equipment such as tools, gloves, goggles, face cover and face shield, and hard hat.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Environmental Ethics:

• Learn, practice, and communicate "Leave No Trace" techniques.

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in program activities and while on organization property.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA's may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions.  

To Apply: Please submit an updated resume and cover letter and three professional references along with the online application. If you have questions, contact AZCC's Individual Placement Support Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the USFS Coronado National Forest, please visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/coronado/.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.

Required Experience

Qualifications:

• Holding or pursuing a degree in biology or wildlife biology (or equivalent).
• Possess knowledge of the basic principles of wildlife biology in order to assess environmental data.
• Ability to relate significance of results to each activity's higher objective.
• Ability to clearly communicate principles and philosophy to the public and interact with user groups and agency staff.
• Possess knowledge and ability to monitor management activities.
• Ability to take initiative and work alone or in small groups with minimal supervision.
• Applicants must pass a criminal history background check and should possess a valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with Mexican spotted owl survey protocol is desirable.

Physical Requirements:

• To successfully perform essential functions, the individual is required to sit, stand, walk, speak, hear, etc... May be required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl for significant periods of time and be able to safely lift 50 pounds on a routine basis.
• The work requires walking over rough, uneven or rocky surfaces, exposure to adverse weather and insects, and performing physical labor. Work is performed outdoors where there is exposure to extremes of weather and temperature, in both established administrative areas and wilderness areas.
• Ability to remain adequately hydrated, fed, and properly dressed to remain generally healthy and safe, avoiding environmental injuries.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Participation and Expedition Behavior:

• Contribute to a safe learning environment, no harassment of others for any reason.
• Work effectively as a member of a team despite potentially stressful and difficult conditions.
• Willingness and ability to complete all aspects of the program.
• Appropriately represent Arizona Conservation Corps and the U.S. Forest Service at all times, including properly wearing the agency uniform.

Safety and Judgement:

• Effectively communicate danger to others in the form of either a warning of dangers others may be encountering or a notification of personal distress, injury, or need of assistance. Must be able to do so at a distance of up to 50 meters and in conditions with limited visibility or loud background noise such as darkness or high winds.
• Assigned duties will require the use of safety equipment such as tools, gloves, goggles, face cover and face shield, and hard hat.
• Effectively perceive, understand and follow direction by others so that you will be able to successfully execute appropriate and perhaps unfamiliar techniques to manage hazards. These directions may be given before the hazard is encountered or may need to be given during exposure to the hazard. Ability to respond appropriately to stress or crises that may arise.
• Stay alert and focused for several hours at a time while traveling and working in varied weather conditions.
• If taking prescription medications, participants must be able to maintain proper dosage by self-medicating without assistance from others.

Environmental Ethics:

• Learn, practice, and communicate "Leave No Trace" techniques.

Substance Free:

• In accordance with a drug free workplace, alcohol and drugs are prohibited while participating in program activities and while on organization property.

*The USFS Resource Assistant Program (RAP) is a rigorous, immersive, paid internship providing developmental and training opportunities for individuals interested in learning more about Forest Service careers. After completing a minimum of 960 hours of satisfactory work and an associate degree, RA's may acquire a two-year certificate of noncompetitive hiring eligibility. The certificate enables participants to apply to internal merit announcements for qualifying permanent General Schedule FS positions.  

To Apply: Please submit an updated resume and cover letter and three professional references along with the online application. If you have questions, contact AZCC's Individual Placement Support Coordinator Preston Sands at psands@conservationlegacy.org.

For more information on the USFS Coronado National Forest, please visit their website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/coronado/.

For more information about Arizona Conservation Corps, please visit www.azcorps.org. Arizona Conservation Corps is a program of Conservation Legacy.